Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-04-09
SCHOOL INTERESTS NO. 20.
INADEQUATE COMPENSATION.


INADEQUATE COMPENSATION.
"The laborer is worthy of his hire,u
is the teachings of Scripture in regard
to the support of ministers of the
Gospel. But the textapplies to every
employment, calling or profession as
well. 1t loses nothing of its force as
applied to teachers
Nellie I" says or thinks that too
much is required of the teacher as to
qualifications, &C., and in that con-
nection refers parenthetically to my
communications in that direction
But after Analysing the views of the
writer I am inclined to think that
after all we are unit on the point in
question. Evidently she (he?) only
meant that there is too much disparity
between the demands upon the teacher
and the compensation accorded. /
but einphatically declare that the
salary of the teacher is far from being
commensurate with the requirements
enumerated. And as l may not have
made this matter sufficiently promi-
nent and emphatic In my earlier
articles on duties of school officers, I
will do so in this communication. I
can do this with some show of grace
for several reasons. In the first place,
through some imps of Satan, "the
father of lies," by hellish plots, to
which those who should be custodians
of the interests of both the patrons
and the teacher, gave more credit
than reasonable and sensible COM
munity found any grounds to do, ]
thought it best to retire from the
work. Therefore l need fear no dis
missal for telling truths. Conscious
of right. 1 fear no man even should
he be double-faced pigmy or walk
ing tower. In the second place, hav-
ing labored for years as teacher for
half a salary I can speak from expert
ence.
Educators, especially in common
schools, as rule, are not sufficiently
compensated for their labors. / claim
that they should be paid not only for
actual labor performed, but also for
k'aoaoing how to perform it, and the
latter implies all the qualifications
which have heretofore discussed as
being essential for the work. l am
not sufficiently posted as to the sal
aries paid in other portions of our
state, but it is patent to every reason
able and liberal minded man that the
teachers of Berkeley Co. are by no
means adequately compensated for
their services, and in view of the fact
that the school-term is too short. /
suggest that their salaries be increas-
ed fifty per cent. This may be
startling suggestion in the eyes Of
school boards and taxpayers. This is
both practicable and practical. Only
let the latter be more liberal and the
former have more backbone. No in
yestment of the public funds could be
better applied,-none more profitable
in the end. For a proof of this just
visit those sections of our country
where well qualified teachers are en-
ployed for from to 10 months year,
at liberal salaries, and you will find a
much higher standard of general in
telligence, more push and enterprise,
and, l may say, more elevated
morality. Pay liberal salary
make your school term longer,-have
a good school-house, we'll furnished,
with every necessary appliance, and
you will invite good teachers while
unqualified and Indifferent ones will
have to take a back seat.
Many persons seem to think that
sinecure, and deserves little compen-
sation; but this is decidedly mis-
take. 1t is profession that demands
talent, scholarship, and tact, and is
connected with much toll, anxiety
and daily trials of many kinds. Be
sides it is calling which affords little
opportunity in any other work as an
auxiliary to make up for lack of sup
port by teaching alone. Hence MOTH
ing is fairer end more reasonable than
that they should receive fair pay.
1t is alamentable fact that teachers,
as rule, receive less pay than some
day-laborers and ordinary mechanics.
while at the same time they are sub
ject to more expense. The teacher
must keep up respectable appear
ance every day, as to his dress, while
the labOrer and mechanic can go to
his work in common and much less
expensive attire. If the teacher were
to appear at school in his shirt sleeves,
with rusty old SLOUGH hat, without
collar and neck-tie. in corduroy
pants with half a dozen patches,
heavy, muddy brogans, &C., what
impression would it make upon the
school and the neighborhood? And
yet many mechanic goes to his
work in such an attire, and gets per-
haps double the wages of the teacher.
will close this communication
with an extract from that great divine
H. w. Beecher.
"There is no profession so exacting,
none that breaks men down so early
as that of faithful teaching and there
is no economy so pernicious, and no
policy so intoierably mean as that by
which the custodians of public schools
screw down to the starvation point
the small wages of teachers who are
willing to devote their time and
strength to the teaching of the young"
VIM. GERHARDT.